Chapter 188 The Winner Takes It All
"Capitalism, eh? A blood sport, to be sure," Suzanne remarked, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Despite her sarcastic tone, she moved with the precision and purpose of a seasoned professional. She had made a promise to protect Skyview, and she intended to keep it.
Just like when Kai had lunged at Oliver, Suzanne reacted instantly, putting herself between Skyview and the enraged Hilda.
Her kick landed squarely on Hilda's chest, lifting him off his feet and sending him crashing into a table with a sickening crunch. The table splintered, and Hilda crumpled to the floor, a groan escaping his lips.
"Hilda!"
"Are you alright?"
"Let me help you!"
Hilda's team rushed to his aid, lifting him from the wreckage. He coughed violently, a splatter of blood staining his chin.
"You think you can attack me and get away with it?" Skyview sneered, looking down at the broken man. "You're nothing but a pathetic insect beneath Suzanne's heel."
Both Skyview and Oliver reveled in Hilda's humiliation, but for Skyview, it was more than just satisfaction – it was fuel. The suffering of his enemies was a source of perverse pleasure.
Hilda, regaining his composure, glared at Skyview with venomous hatred. "This isn't over, Skyview," he spat, his voice hoarse. "Don't think for a second that you've won." He knew he was outmatched and that any further aggression would be met with swift and brutal retaliation. All he had left were empty threats.
"Oh, but I have won, Hilda," Skyview countered, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Don't you see? You've lost everything."
"We'll see about that," Hilda hissed.
Skyview laughed, a cruel, mocking sound. "Your precious Shark platform was already on its last legs. Now, with your top streamers gone and a three-month suspension looming, I predict bankruptcy within the quarter."
Oliver joined in the mockery, his voice laced with false sympathy. "Don't worry, Hilda. If you come crawling back to me when your company goes under, I might throw you a lifeline. A very short, flimsy lifeline."
Their laughter echoed through the room, a symphony of triumph and disdain.
"Get me out of here," Hilda choked out, unable to bear the humiliation any longer. He couldn't stand the sight of their smug faces, the sound of their mocking laughter.
He and his team limped out of the room, defeated and broken. As for the Penguin Company deal? With Shark Live facing a suspension, it was dead in the water.
The moment the door closed behind them, Benjamin turned to Skyview and Oliver, his face a mask of contrition. "Mr. Scott, Oliver, I apologize for my earlier disrespect. I was... misinformed." He bowed deeply, his sincerity undeniable.
Witnessing their ruthless dismantling of Hilda and Shark Live had been a revelation. In the cutthroat world of business, strength commanded respect. Before, he had respected their status and their family names. Now, he respected their methods, their sheer ruthlessness. They were victors, and he, a mere bystander who had dared to question them.
Skyview and Oliver exchanged amused glances.
"You're forgiven, Benjamin," Skyview said, waving his hand dismissively. "Isn't that right, Oliver?"
"Of course," Oliver replied, feigning magnanimity. "Water under the bridge. I barely even remember."
"You're too kind," Benjamin gushed, relieved to be let off the hook. "Your tactics were… impressive, to say the least."
Skyview pulled up a chair, crossing his legs and leaning back with an air of confidence. "Now, Benjamin, let's talk business. Our little deal with LiveWave and Penguin Company… I believe it's time we finalized the details."
"With Shark Live out of the picture and LiveSync facing suspension, LiveWave is the only viable option," Benjamin said, forcing a smile. "I'll admit, I was initially drawn to your platform, but the price was a sticking point. Now, with the tables turned, surely you're willing to be more… flexible?"
Skyview shook his head, his expression resolute. "The price remains the same: 1.5 billion."
"Not a penny less," Oliver chimed in, his voice firm. "A deal's a deal, Benjamin. We're not in the habit of renegotiating."
"Your unwavering stance puts me in a rather difficult position," Benjamin said, frustration evident in his voice.
Penguin Company's foray into the streaming market was a strategic imperative, one they couldn't afford to delay. Their previous attempts to prop up smaller platforms had ended in failure, costing them dearly. They had learned the hard way that even with their vast resources, challenging the established players was no easy feat.
They had set their sights on the big fish: first Shark Live, then LiveSync, and finally, LiveWave. Anything smaller wasn't worth their time or investment.
Starting their own platform from scratch would be even more expensive than acquiring a stake in LiveWave. 1.5 billion wouldn't even cover the initial setup costs.
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